The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-05-12


20 ~
ped and lunched, then went on for two or three
miles, till well up toward the summit of the
main Sierra Nevada range, when he halted
and, slowing away his blankets and other
traps, soon began the work of picking up and
panning out gold. He was at work on the
south side of the canyon, at the foot of
great gravel mountain, the face of which was |
covered with snowfall one sheet of snow
God knows how deepl
Having discovered the golden secret, and |
being greatly in need of rest and sleep,
crept out of the canyon and made my way |
across the first ridge to the northward, where
might safely make camp and build fire.
Next morning, leaving my traps in camp, 1
'fecrossed the ridge, and crawling from rock
to rock and tree to tree at last gained posi-
ton about fifty yards above the bottom of
the canyon and Just opposite where my man
was at work. Peering round the end Of
block of granite, behind which lay, could
see him picking the nuggets out from among
the finer gold after he had washed pan of
gravel. He seemed to be getting gold by the
pound. How longed for the day of his de-
parture in order that might take his place
and dig my share of those golden nuggets!
II had kept my position and watch until
early morn, and wsSj6st thinking of MAX
ing my way over the ridge to my secret camp,
when faint murmuring sound attracted
my attention. glanced rapidly about, but
could see nothing to which could trace the
strange noise. 1t seemed to fill the air over
head and on all sides, and was not unlike
the hum of large swarm of bees in full
fight. Soon what began as mere murmur
became decided roar and, looking across the
canyon, saw huge avalanche descending
the face of the opposite mountain. All
that was on the vast slope before me
was in motion. Trees were uprooted and
swept along with the descending masses of
snow, and great rocks were torn from their
beds. The roar of the avalanche combined
with the crashing and grinding together of
rocks, and the swapping and splintering of
trees, produced noise the like of which
never heard before nor since. It could only
be compared to crashing peals Of thunder,
rising through and heard above the steady
roar of tremendous waterfall.
Dropping my eyes to my neighbor in
the bottom of the canyon, saw him rum
ming, pan in hand, toward the place where
he had deposited the gold he had taken out.
He had gone but few steps. however, be-
fore great boulder came bounding down
the mountain, and, hopping into the canyon.
landed full upon him. Almost instantly
there followed q rushing hill of snow that
filled the canyon and pushed its way nearly
up to where was standing; then all was
silent as the grave. TWAS as though nothing
had occurred, for in a moment the old calm
and hush of centuries was again on the
mountains and in the air. It was only when
I looked at the denuded face of the noun
tains before me. and at the blockaded canyon
at my feet, that could fully realize what
had happened. Thecanyon was filed nearly
to the depth of 100 feet with snow, boulders,
earth and broken trees, and at the bottom Of
this lay the crushed remains of the man I
had 20 envied scarce two minutes before
under Il also lay buried all the gold had 80
coveted. must wait until the sun and rain
had worn away the mighty mass of snow
that filled the ravine. This saw at glance,
yet for an hour OF more fingered about the
place, then turned sadly away and took my
course across the ridge to my camp, where
stretched myself upon the ground and seri-
ously considered the situation.
"As my neighbor and myself disappeared
from the settlement at the same time, it
would be thought that we went away to-
gether, and should return alone it would
be looked upon as q suspicious circumstance
and in all probability would be arrested As
his murderer. True might conduct the
officers Of the law to the spot where the ava
lanche descended, and there explain the
whole affair; but then the gold-I could not
give up the gold! After duly considering
the strange affair in all its aspects and bear
ings, crossed over to the California side of
the range, pitched my camp in the foothills
and taking the name I now bear, became q
wandering proepector-a man of the noun
| tains. ~ -.a-E,i r. z.l.-.2. q, T
"In California accidentally learned that
the sudden disappearance of myself and
neighbor was accounted for in the Nevada
settlement on the supposition that We had
been mixed up in some Of the cattle stealing
affairs, then Of such common occurrence on
that side Of the mountains. This, though
not complimentary. was satisfactory. It was
twenty-six years ago that the avalanche FELL
twenty-six years ago, when Twas but twenty
two years Of age. have given my life to
watching the spot. Every summer and fall
have visited the cretcanyon In which my
fortune lies buried, but have always found
the snow lying deep above my gold and COM
pact a. ice. Alas the snow-ever too much
snowl 34.& -ets.sl4. eaa ~ Es
'sHsretoiore I have always seen the remains
Of that old avalanche lying in almost un-
diminished depth-so much new snow has
fallen winters BY winterrbut this summer
1t il nearly gone. This il the warmest sum-
mer We have had for twenty-six years; II IL
the summer ] have been waiting for. A
weak ego was on the ground. and In Len
than weak I shalI Esap the reward q my
long yeas Of watching. Nearly ~ tAe
| FoGks and brphep tse4 Hs well up on I'D
| sRink ~ ealth lank ~ ths esDyon; thWp-
m 6hqli sael1 A1oaA ~ sold- d-the 90
| 6h1n1ng - e. 81 ~ I haveso -